Ohr HaTorah's philosophy is both traditional and progressive – traditional in its focus on God, Torah and Israel, and progressive in its belief that Judaism is evolutionary and developmental, emanating from our personal and communal relationship with God.
We are dedicated to creating a progressive, yet deeply religious community, which welcomes all who were spiritually searching, the unaffiliated, converts, and children. One of our founding principles is promote an overall devotion to the work of keruv l'vavot, or ";bringing hearts closer" to Judaism.
Dear Friends,
Several members of Ohr HaTorah have recently asked me to compose a brief statement of my religious and spiritual beliefs. I thought perhaps I should say a word about my beliefs concerning temple membership.
Judaism has been blessed with many great minds and great political and communal leaders. Our strength, continuity and very survival, however, depend on something much more basic: the willingness of individuals to support Jewish institutions.
The great teachings and practices handed down to us by Jewish philosophers, mystics, jurists, storytellers, musicians and others have meaning only if people are committed to learn, pray, teach and study together. At one level, synagogue membership means supporting one congregation and is one particular instance of the many ways to express the Jewish vision for a moral and spiritual life. On another level, synagogue membership means you have forged a link with all the Jews in history — Jews who devoted time, talent and resources to continue the covenant between God and the people of Israel.
When I look out at our congregation on Shabbat or the High Holy Days, when I watch our Religious School children charge into the room during the Torah service, when I see another Bar or Bat Mitzvah child hold the Torah and take his or her place in the great chain linking us to Sinai, I think of the countless thousands of congregations which have been the embodiment of Jewish ideals and values.
I know that Ohr HaTorah has made a profound difference in many people's lives. Our vision, rooted in tradition and aiming toward the spiritual, has built a blessed home, a first home or a new start for hundreds of people. We thank you for your desire to work for Jewish continuity through this community. We hope you find the holy task in which we are engaged worthy of your support.
Meirav joins me in wishing you a New Year of blessing and happiness. We look forward to working with you in making our congregational life better than ever.
B'shalom u'vrakha,
Rabbi Mordecai Finley
